Head of Primary Message Week 1

It has been wonderful to be back at school this week and to see such happy, engaged children in every classroom. They are a real credit to you as parents and families, we are very fortunate indeed. Thank you for your continued support and for continuing to trust us with your most precious people and their education.

🔗 Useful Links on Seesaw

As a reminder, pinned to the top of each Seesaw journal are the Useful Links. Here you will find key information, including what your child will be learning this term. This resource is updated regularly and is a helpful way to keep track of the curriculum journey across each year group.

👋 Welcoming New Teachers

This week we have also been delighted to welcome new colleagues into the Primary team. Mr Kee in Year 5 and Mr Mpofu in Year 6 have both had an excellent start and are already integral members of our ISB family, with students in their classes enjoying a fantastic first week of learning. I would also like to formally welcome Mrs Rasheda, who has joined the Primary Leadership Team with responsibility for curriculum development, phonics, and the continued professional growth of staff. Having joined us from a school in the UK, she brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective, and we are thrilled to have her expertise at ISB.

➡️ Parent Events Next Week

Next week promises to be a busy and engaging one for parents. Reception parents are warmly invited to a Phonics and Maths Workshop on Friday morning, which will provide an excellent opportunity to see first-hand how we approach these core areas of learning. Also on that same day, Year 5 parents will have both the Temburong Residential briefing and an iPad setup session. These sessions are designed to ensure that families are well-informed, well-prepared, and working in close partnership with us to support their children.

➕ Extra Curricular Activities (ECAs)

Today marks the start of ECA sign-up for Term 1. The form will open for parents at 2pm and activities are scheduled to begin in Week 3. Our ECA programme is an essential part of the ISB experience. It broadens the curriculum and enhances the opportunities available to students, allowing them to pursue passions, develop new skills, and grow in areas beyond the classroom. From sports and creative arts to service learning and enrichment clubs, these activities complement academic study and support the development of well-rounded, confident young people.

🔬 Research and Innovation at ISB

At ISB, we firmly believe that a school should never stand still, because standing still is the same as moving backwards. This year, we are proud to be running four major Primary research projects, each grounded in educational research, driven by practitioner inquiry, and focused on improving outcomes for all learners.

The first project, led by Ms Naty Guadalupe, is all about sensory support and inclusion. This work is helping us better understand how children’s different sensory needs can affect their focus and learning. By looking at how classroom environments and teaching approaches can be adapted, the project aims to ensure that every child feels comfortable, calm, and ready to learn.

The second project, led by Ms Sophie Agaki, looks at how Art, Design and Technology can play a bigger role in the curriculum. Creativity is such an important part of learning, and this research is exploring how activities like designing, making, and creating can strengthen problem-solving and confidence, while also enriching learning across other subjects.

The third project, led by Mr David Waite, focuses on feedback and assessment. The aim here is to look at how we give feedback to children so that it is more meaningful and directly supports their progress. Part of this involves exploring new ways of quickly checking children’s understanding so that teachers can respond immediately and help each child take the next step in their learning.

The fourth project, led by Ms Rachael Tan, explores how we can make the most of technology in learning. This is about ensuring that digital tools, especially iPads, go beyond simply replacing pen and paper and instead open up new and exciting ways to learn. The project is also reviewing our Computing curriculum so that children develop strong digital skills, from coding and robotics in the early years right through to responsible use of technology and emerging ideas like artificial intelligence.

A School That Never Stops Learning

These projects are a clear example of what makes ISB so special. Our staff do not simply deliver a curriculum; they actively research, refine, and improve it. This culture of continuous professional inquiry ensures that ISB remains future-focused, evidence-informed, and committed to providing the very best for every child.

Wishing you all a restful weekend, and I look forward to another excellent week ahead.

If you have any questions about any aspect of school life, please do not hesitate to message in Seesaw.

Mr Michael Everett | Head of Primary

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📌 At A Glance

• 🌟 Back at School – Wonderful to see happy, engaged children across all classrooms; a big thank you for your continued support and trust.

• 🔗 Useful Links – Curriculum information and updates are pinned at the top of every Seesaw journal.

• 👋 New Teachers – Warm welcome to Mr Kee (Year 5), Mr Mpofu (Year 6), and Mrs Rasheda (Leadership Team – curriculum, phonics & professional development).

• 📅 Parent Events Next Week – Reception Phonics & Maths Workshop (Friday), plus Year 5 Temburong Residential briefing and iPad setup session.

• ➕ ECAs – Sign-up opens today at 2pm; Term 1 activities begin in Week 3, offering a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom.

• 🔬 Research & Innovation – Four projects this year: sensory support, creativity in Art/DT, improving feedback, and harnessing technology/iPads to transform learning.

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🗓️ Friday 29th August - Reception Parent Workshop (Phonics & Maths)

🗓️ Friday 29th August - Yr5 Parent Workshop (Temburong and iPad setup)

🗓️ Friday 5th September - Public Holiday (TBC)

🗓️ Friday 12th September - New Parents' Coffee Morning

🗓️ Tuesday 23rd September - Public Holiday (TBC)

🗓️ Tuesday 7th & Wednesday 8th October - Parent Teacher Consultations

🗓️ Monday 13th - Friday 17th October - Half Term Break

🗓️ Friday 24th October - International Day 🌏

🗓️ Friday 7th November - Celebration of Learning (Open Morning for all)

🗓️ Friday 21st November - Reception, Yr1 & Yr2 Sports Day 🏃

🗓️ Tuesday 25th November - House Games

🗓️ Friday 28th November - Sports Day Yr3, Yr4, Yr5 & Yr6 🏃‍♀️

🗓️ Friday 5th December - Final Day of Term 1

ℹ️ In addition to the events listed above, individual Year Groups will share specific details about trips and activities relevant to their cohort. Please stay up to date by checking the Year Group Notices thread in Seesaw Messages.